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Newark Man Sentenced To 3 Years Of Community Control After Failing To Care For Mother-In-Law

Newark Man Sentenced To 3 Years Of Community Control After Failing To Care For Mother-In-Law | WBNS-10TV Columbus, Ohio | Columbus News, Weather & Sports

Published: 07/31/13 03:04 pm EDT

Updated: 07/31/13 03:30 pm EDT

NEWARK, Ohio

A Newark man has been sentenced to three years of community control after failing to care for his mother-in-law.

According to the Newark Advocate, 62-year-old Ralph E. Bullard was given this sentence after being found guilty July 9 on one count of failing to provide for a functionally impaired person. The charge is a felony in the fourth-degree.

Bullard was supposed to be caring for Emi Alston with his wife, who is Alston’s daughter, Assistant Licking County Prosecutor Brian Waltz told the Advocate.

However, after being involved in a car crash, Bullard’s wife became mentally ill, according to Waltz.

Bullard had failed to care for his mother-in-law between Sept. 1 2011, and March 6, 2012 to the point where she had bed sores that exposed bone.

A squad was called by Bullard for Alston on March 6, and according to Waltz she was found to be malnourished and only weighing 68 pounds.

Waltz also said that Alston also had untrimmed nails, matted hair, feces and other bed sores all over her body in addition to the stage 4 bed sore that exposed her bone.

Emi Alston died about a month after she was taken to the hospital.

Bullard initially faced a maximum sentence of 18 months in prison and a $5,000 fine. He apologized in court Wednesday, the paper reported.

Bullard will have to complete 100 hours of community service, pay a $2,500 fine and all court costs and fees, complete a mental health program and maintain employment as part of his sentence.

He could face a prison sentence of one year if he fails to complete the terms of his community control.